The USDA-Human Nutrition Research on Aging (HNRCA) is one of six USDA human research centers created to study the effect of human nutrition on health. The mission of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA) is to promote healthy aging through nutrition science to empower people seeking to enjoy long, active, and independent lives. HNRCA investigators conduct the world's most advanced studies on nutrition and aging. The research focuses on determining the nutrient and physical activity requirements necessary to promote well-being for older adults. HNRCA scientists examine how nutrition and physical activity play a major role in the prevention of the major chronic degenerative conditions and diseases associated with aging.

The Metabolic Research Unit (MRU) is one of the Scientific Core Units at the HNRCA directed toward facilitating and supporting the clinical aspects of data collection with human study participants for the HNRCA's research teams.  The MRU services cover study areas of: participant recruitment and enrollment; nutrition services from our metabolic kitchen; nursing services; and study coordination services.  The Metabolic Kitchen implements the dietary component of research protocols, which include designing, preparation and delivery of strict feeding protocols with careful food intake monitoring throughout the duration of each study.

The Senior Research Dietitian in the MRU will manage the day-to-day operation of the dietary services team who support the implementation and delivery of research diets related to human nutrition studies.  This position contributes to development and implementation of policies and best practices to ensure an efficient and effective human studies unit that meets the scientific needs of the HNRCA.  The Senior Research Dietitian oversees the duties and activities of the dietary staff, coordinates staff work schedules, and tracks and reports the status of meals prepared for each research project.  Specific responsibilities include coordinating the numerous functions associated with menu development and food preparation including establishing controls for inventory and purchasing and designing and implementing systems which translate research design into acceptable procedures for quality food service.  The dietary team develop and implement the dietary component of research protocols, which includes strict feeding protocols created in the MRU research kitchen with careful food intake monitoring throughout the duration of each study.  This position interacts with principal investigators and study coordinators and supports the conduct of human research participant research protocols in a carefully monitored and controlled, yet dynamic environment to achieve quality outcomes.

Minimum Required Experience, Education, Background, And Certifications/Licenses

·       BS in Dietetics or equivalent, with 3-5 years of experience in a research setting.

·       Registered Dietitian (RD).

·       Experience working within IRB guidance and policies.

·       Experience working with research participants.

·       Experience with menu/recipe development and Nutrition Data Systems for Research (NDSR) or          similar food analysis program.

·       Proficient with Microsoft Office software suite, email. PubMed.

·       Strong verbal and written communication skills.

·       Completion of ServSafe and Human Research Protection Protection training within two weeks            of start date.

Additional Preferred Experience, Education, etc. 

·       Master’s degree in Nutrition or related field and 5+ years of research experience.

·       Massachusetts License for Dietitians/Nutritionists (LDN).

·       Supervisory and training experience.

·       Experience with REDCap or other research data collection databases.Strong data management.

·       Fluent in both spoken and written English and Spanish

An employee in this position must complete all appropriate background checks at the time of hire, promotion, or transfer.

Equal Opportunity Employer - minority/females/veterans/disability/sexual orientation/gender identity.

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